Imprisoned mothers : motherhood and victimization

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to study the problems imprisoned mothers have encountered, including their victimization prior to their criminality, the difficulties they had to surmount in order to maintain relationships with their children while they were behind bars, and the impact of their children’s absence on their mental health. In-depth interviews were conducted with ex-prisoners released to a hostel at the end of their sentences. Findings reveal a disgraceful and shameful reality of women who had been physically, mentally, and/or sexually abused by a family member. Furthermore, findings present a picture of abuse of basic human rights of these women in these total institutions. These ex-offenders recount in their own words the traumatic experience of their own childhood and of being separated from their children.